Brief of Pa-O’s History background and currently situation part 1

Burma is a multi-ethnic state with over 135 different ethnic minorities. The Pa-O people are one of the many ethnic minorities of Burma. The seventh largest population in Union of Burma and take placed in eastern Burma. They have their own distinct, culture, literature, spoken language, and can be recognized by their dark blue or black traditional dress and colourful turbans. The Pa-O people are a peace loving people. Most are Buddhist and living based on agriculture. The Pa-O is the second largest population in Shan State and takes
place in the highland plateau. According by the Pyi Thaoung Su Tae Ka Pa-O books ( published by Pa-O literature and Culture Organization), there are approximately 1.8 million in Shan State and 1 million living in Pago Division, Mon State, Karen State. Some of Pa-O’s are living in jungle and they still moveable they don’t have any citizens card. Pa-O people can also found in North of Thailand, approximately 8,000 of Pa-O people are living in Mae Hong Son District and Pang Ma Pha District.

In 19 century, feudalism is grows up around in Shan State. Under the Chief regime the Pa-O and other ethnic an education, health, social, living standards were very low. At the time, the Pa-O and other ethnic have no chance to attend the school because of the Chief are obstruct human rights being to the public. While those, a few number of people are educated by their monasteries only and lost much advantage by missing the more advance teaching for further development. For women and girl, can’t learn and stay in monasteries because of the Buddhist’s law. Only the Chief relationships are able to attend the schools. Pa-O and other ethnic had no chance to have a good an education, health, social and living standard. The public have to pay a lot of taxes to Chief such as farm tax, house tax, animal tax and human being tax. If the public are going to marry the ladies must be stay first with the Chief. They opened bet and drug legally to make public stupid. The Pa-O and other ethnic can’t effort stay under the rule of Chief. Pa-O movement began in 1949 in Shan State as an advocate for Pa-O rights. Pa-O people are had nationalism and patriotism Pa-O leader called (Par Tan Kong Khe) began against the feudalism and in 1958 the Chiefs were relinquish power. After the feudalism ended, U Nu Government offered peace agreement to Pa-O leaders. In 1958 Pa-O army called (PNO) signs peace agreement with U Nu Government. Pa-O guerrilla soldiers hand over their weapons in a ceremony in Taunggyi. In the ceremony U Nu government poisoned and arrested the Pa-O leaders and put them in a prison.